00:25 - KarlabosMost videos are all about just adding random images to the song though, so...

00:22 - KarlabosSome videos aren't bad. But an ok video is not a good video. A good video would be something that adds to the song. In a way after you've seen it you can't help but to feel only listening to the song isn't enough anymore

23:53 - ApothecaryI mean welcome to artists trying to be theatrical lol there's always going to be some degree of cheese in music videos, even if it's .0001% cheese

Looking back on over thirty years of black metal history, probably the most important mindset that runs at the core of the genre is the extreme challenge and opposition to conventional norms, and the celebration of things than run counter to them. In the realm of religion, this usually takes the form of anti-Christianity, which peaked in the early 90s with the Norwegian scene and their lovely church-burning escapades. As black metal progresses, though, one has to ask oneself: why Christianity? The faith may have the distinction of being the most oppressive religion throughout history, but surely it isn't the only one, no? Where are the black metal bands decrying Judaism, or Islam, or even extreme Hinduism? Well, ponder no more, ladies and gents, because this year Iraq's Seeds Of Iblis have given us an answer to that question.

Anti Quran Rituals is exactly what the title implies: nine raw, aggressive, and relentless tracks rampaging against the religion of Islam and the historical domination of its subjects. Some tracks contain spoken word bits to enhance this effect, presumably brutal quotes from the Quran intended to portray the true ferocity of Islam ("Qamar," "Qabr," "Islamophobia"). The music has a very eastern, minor key tonality to reinforce the lyrical themes, and can sometimes get quite melodic in this aspect, like on "Qabr," and towards the end of "From Mecca To Jahannam."

Unquestionably, however, the real genius of Anti Quran Rituals lies in the production. For the most part, it's that raw and gritty sound you'd expect from black metal, and this actually goes very well with the harsh, infuriated vibe of the lyrical topics ("Behind The Horns Of Allah," "72 Virgins," "The Prophecy Of Rape"). But then, almost like a surprise birthday party, those little melodic moments creep up on you out of nowhere, and when they come in, the production's a lot cleaner, more balanced, and at some points the bass is even pleasantly audible (check out the middle of "From Mecca To Jahannam" in particular).

The beauty of Anti Quran Rituals strikes in many ways aside from the musical delivery. For starters, it satisfies the question of "where's all the Asian metal at?" as well as "where's the originality towards anti-religion in black metal?" But above all, there's a certain alluring quality in the fact that Seeds Of Iblis are Iraqi, because not only does it speak against the stereotype that all Middle Easterners are just Islamic radicals, but it's also testament to the band's courage, that they have the balls to put out a vehemently anti-Islamic album in an area of the world where doing so could result in serious repercussions.

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Norwegians bands (also a lot of bands from Europe) choose to target Christianity because they invaded their lands and forcefully made people to practice Christianity. Whereas, when Muslim conquered Jerusalem or any other place, they allowed people to practice their preferred religion. Nowadays, they also have black sheep among themselves.

Gibberish if you ask me ! how about reading this too : http://metalluminati.com/anti-islamic-black-metal-band-from-iraq-a-hoax/

If you read a little further up in the comments, I already mentioned something along those lines. According to their profile on Metal-Archives, all "official" names and photographs of the band members are fake. The band, if they are indeed Iraqi, have also apparently received help from the French embassy and have plans to move their in the future. Whether a hoax or not, somebody has to be doing this music, and props to them, because it's fucking good.

If you read a little further up in the comments, I already mentioned something along those lines. According to their profile on Metal-Archives, all "official" names and photographs of the band members are fake. The band, if they are indeed Iraqi, have also apparently received help from the French embassy and have plans to move their in the future. Whether a hoax or not, somebody has to be doing this music, and props to them, because it's fucking good.

I also think that their music is fake, the name " Anahita" is a Persian name( an ancient Persian goddess) I don't know how the hell an Iraqi can use this name, the cover photo they used is by an Iranian photographer : http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKpFo4WymBg/Tt2konHR-0I/AAAAAAAAAYk/C6KBggxliMw/s1600/shirin_neshat-05.jpg they're really too suspicious

Understandably so, though. As I said in the review, doing this kind of thing in that part of the world isn't exactly the safest thing, so the band would be likely to maintain a veil of secrecy to begin with. Or, maybe it is just some "40-year old white guy in Georgia" doing it all for the hell of it

Had this not been an example of anti-islamic metal, I don't think it would've been given an 8 or even reviewed in the first place. This album is receiving enormous hype because of its lyrical/ideological themes and not because of the actual music, which is quite inferior to that of A LOT of other middle-eastern bands.

I actually enjoyed their music and I'm sure Apothecary isn't dumb to like it just because of it's lyrical contents. That being said, I'm pretty sure other people are dumb enough to get their panties wet just because of the lyrics.

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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29Like you could kiss my ass

^Same here, I really enjoy the music. I very rarely listen to bands for their lyrics (especially not any band whose lyrics have anything to do with religion, for or against) so I could care less about their anti-Islamic stance. I will admit though that I decided to check out the band because of the controversy, but only because I wanted to see if their music was any good.

I have to check out their music to see if it REALLY lives up to that much anticipation and hype. In my experience, it was the presentation that made the headlines, not the ingenuity found in music itself.

I have to check out their music to see if it REALLY lives up to that much anticipation and hype. In my experience, it was the presentation that made the headlines, not the ingenuity found in music itself.

Their music has improved from what it once was but it's still derivative and done-to-death black metal. Enjoyable for what it is but not noteworthy.

I have to check out their music to see if it REALLY lives up to that much anticipation and hype. In my experience, it was the presentation that made the headlines, not the ingenuity found in music itself.

Their music has improved from what it once was but it's still derivative and done-to-death black metal. Enjoyable for what it is but not noteworthy.

Had this not been an example of anti-islamic metal, I don't think it would've been given an 8 or even reviewed in the first place. This album is receiving enormous hype because of its lyrical/ideological themes and not because of the actual music, which is quite inferior to that of A LOT of other middle-eastern bands.

I agree, partially. I'd take bands like Melechesh and Orphaned Land over this any day, but the lyrical themes certainly aren't the only appeal on this album. Like I said in the review, it's mostly about the production for me, it may not be perfectly balanced between the raw edge and the cleaner parts, but the fact that the clean parts are even there in the first place certainly makes it more interesting than your average black metal band, no?

Understandably so, though. As I said in the review, doing this kind of thing in that part of the world isn't exactly the safest thing, so the band would be likely to maintain a veil of secrecy to begin with. Or, maybe it is just some "40-year old white guy in Georgia" doing it all for the hell of it

ah well although I kinda agree with what you mean,yeah writing or playing this kinda music is not really the safest thing to do in Iraq (totally in middle east,because of their lyrical theme and such,sure it can pisses off the whole reign to attack them,let alone the reign never got pissed off by the genocide is happening in Syria,oh my I'm not trying to add political approaches,I just wanted to give more explanations ) but it's not harder to the same thing in Iran.I mean if they were in Iran they were immediately get identified by authorities, but still there are underground bands which don't hide themselves like this.

I think why Oaken dismisses it as nothing special is because of the lyrical content which is anti-Islamic and as we all know Oaken does get quite a bit offended when someone attacks his religion.

but really I get no offense from this kind of music ,but they're not special musically, they're plenty of underground bands here which they need such attention too, but seems that they only got dismissed. I can't understand this amount of buzz about them either.

but really I get no offense from this kind of music ,but they're not special musically, they're plenty of underground bands here which they need such attention too, but seems that they only got dismissed. I can't understand this amount of buzz about them either.

Most hyped bands nowadays are so for reasons outside the music department. And to begin with, I don't think Seeds of Iblis are making that much noise....

For sure their anti-islamic stance and some internet articles describing them as the spearhead of anti-islamic BM that have to hide their identities and all that has a major impact on the buzz, as in a way it became something new just like a lot of bands got attention coz of the costumes they wore or their lyric themes.

But I do agree that other underground bands deserve it much more when it comes to music, but unfortunately, music industry doesn't work that way.....

People are either going to react in praise or in fear to something perceived as unfamiliar. In this case, it's the first one. Anti-Islamic black metal isn't all that common, so of course people in the underground scene are going to be prone to fap and overhype about it, no matter how bad (or good) the bands that do it are.

Why don't you listen to Acyl if u wanna know about Islam
or I guess u wanna know about anti Islam more than knowing about Islam it self

Who said that? I have read parts of the Quran many times, I own an English copy with parallel Arabic text, and I find many passages to be beautiful in their use of word repetition and other poetic techniques. But there are also two sides to every coin, and the beauty of Islam also can have a very violent, savage side as well, both within the Quran and in the behavior of some of its practitioners. I'm not taking anti Islam over Islam, or vice versa. I'm interested in the lessons to be taught from both. Inhale information from all sides, exhale the bullshit, and form my own opinion: that's my style.

I checked this one out, but the INCREDIBLY annoying islamic chants throughout the songs made me really hate this album, since it reminds me of religion (which I generally despise... can't help but being realistic here since religion does more harm than good to people).

So for me this is totally unlistenable. That being said however, the "normal" black metal parts are actually good, but it doesn't weigh up to the horrible chants. Also, why the hell are those chants in it anyway if they claim to be anti-islamic. So no offence to you (Apothecary), but I'm not going to waste my time on this music. And I really hope this album doesn't get added to your list.

Why don't you listen to Acyl if u wanna know about Islam
or I guess u wanna know about anti Islam more than knowing about Islam it self

Who said that? I have read parts of the Quran many times, I own an English copy with parallel Arabic text, and I find many passages to be beautiful in their use of word repetition and other poetic techniques. But there are also two sides to every coin, and the beauty of Islam also can have a very violent, savage side as well, both within the Quran and in the behavior of some of its practitioners. I'm not taking anti Islam over Islam, or vice versa. I'm interested in the lessons to be taught from both. Inhale information from all sides, exhale the bullshit, and form my own opinion: that's my style.

I'm glad that u seek the truth yourself and I want u to continue in it, u impressed me when u told me about how u read parts of translated Qur'an
but I want to hint some points to u :
1) we metal-heads know how media trying to control our minds and telling us what to love and what to hate so don't believe every story about Muslims there are so many lies and so many truth as well .
2) don't judge Islam as religion with every acts that done by a Muslims , there are so many Muslims doing terrible things in the name of Islam ; these guys had two scenarios a)they understand Islam in wrong way b) they are not Muslims but trying to convince u that they are Muslims
3)there are two main Ideas in Islam the general idea it is about worshiping : praying , Zakah : paying money for the pours ,...etc
and specific idea it is about the act of human ; being honest , trusted and nice to others ...etc
4)forgive me for my bad English and seek the truth yourself

I went back to this album after the hype died a bit so I can get an objective feel for the album. While the atmopshere is pretty good and there is some cool melodic solos here and there, I find the album to be very formula driven. Nothing special here. I give it a 7 at most.

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JDAccount deleted

18.08.2014 - 21:23

JDAccount deleted

Thanks for the review. I just finished listning to the album. I like the Arabic pharses in it, make it more spical for me since I undurstand the language. Kinda little bit creepy but very strong message. Reminds me of Ayat which IMO are the best AIBM band .